Bold Union got the first jump out of the gate, only to have Tar Heel Mom quickly pick up the chase. They battled through the slop in brisk fractions of 22.10 and 44.45 seconds before Tar Heel Mom suddenly opened up in the lane with Jose Lezcano aboard for trainer Stanley Hough.

"She broke good and the speed was holding up tonight, so I didn't think too much about it," Lezcano said of the duel. "I knew I had it in the bag, my filly was feeling so comfortable. When I asked her, she gave me everything she had and I knew she had plenty left."

A 4-year-old, Tar Heel Mom ($7.20) improved to 5-for-14. She ran the six furlongs in 1:08.96 for her third win in six tries on a wet track.

Fearless Leader edged Bold Union by a neck for second.

Natalicat was fourth followed by All Giving, Modification, and Elusive Surprise.